A Design Process Introduction to Engineering Design © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. What Is Design? The word “design” is often used as a generic term that refers to anything that was made by a conscious human effort. Design is also a process that is used to systematically solve problems. © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. What Is a Design Process? A design process is a systematic problem-solving strategy, with criteria and constraints, used to develop many possible solutions to solve or satisfy human needs or wants and to narrow down the possible solutions to one final choice. – ITEA Standards for Technological Literacy Images courtesy of NASA © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Design Process Example 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Define the problem Brainstorm Research and generate ideas Identify criteria and specify constraints Explore possibilities Select an approach Develop a design proposal Make a model or prototype Test and evaluate the design using specifications Refine the design Create or make solution Communicate processes and results © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Design Process used in IED 1. Define the Problem 2. Generate Concepts 3. Develop a Solution 4. Construct and Test a Prototype 5. Evaluate the Solution 6. Present the Solution This design process was developed based on the University of Maryland - College Park - IRB Research Project © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Define the Problem • Identify a problem • Validate the problem – Who says it is a problem? – Needs and wants – Prior solutions • Justify the problem – Is the problem worth solving? • Create design requirements (specifications) – Criteria and constraints • Design Brief © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Define the Problem • Design Brief – A written plan that identifies a problem to be solved, its criteria, and its constraints. – Used to encourage thinking of all aspects of a problem before attempting a solution. © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Define the Problem • Identify a problem • Validate the problem – Who says it is a problem? – Needs and wants – Prior solutions • Justify the problem – Is the problem worth solving? In some cases, if the problem is not valid or justifiable, the designer must define a new problem. • Create design requirements (specifications) – Criteria and constraints • Design Brief © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Generate Concepts • Research • Brainstorm possible solutions • Consider additional design goals • Apply STEM principles • Select an approach • Decision Matrix © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Generate Concepts • Decision Matrix − A tool used to compare design solutions against one another, using specific criteria. © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Generate Concepts • Research • Brainstorm possible solutions • Consider additional design goals • Apply STEM principles • Select an approach • Decision Matrix If the technology necessary to develop the solution does not exist, scientific research may be necessary to pursue a solution. © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Develop a Solution • Create detailed design solution • Justify the solution path • Technical Drawings © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Develop a Solution • Technical Drawings – Drawings that provide technical information necessary to produce a product. • material, size, shape • assembly, if necessary © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Develop a Solution • Create detailed design solution – Technical Drawings • Justify the solution path If a solution is found to be invalid or cannot be justified, the designer must return to a previous step in the design process. © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Construct and Test a Prototype • Construct a testable prototype • Plan prototype testing – Performance – Usability – Durability • Test prototype – collect test data – analyze test data • Test Report © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Construct and Test a Prototype • Construct a testable prototype • Plan prototype testing – Performance – Usability a testable prototype –If Durability cannot be built or test • Test prototype data analysis indicates a –flawed collectdesign, test data the –designer analyzemust test data return to a previous step of the • Test Report design process. © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Evaluate the Solution • Evaluate solution effectiveness • Reflect on design – Recommend improvements • Optimize/Redesign the solution – [Return to prior design process steps, if necessary] – Revise design documents • Project Recommendations © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Evaluate the Solution • Evaluate solution effectiveness • Reflect on design – Recommend improvements • Optimize/Redesign the solution – [Return to prior design process steps, if necessary] – Revise design documents • Project Recommendations © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Present the Solution • Document the project – Project Portfolio • Communicate the project – Formal Presentation © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Design Process • Iterative – a process that repeats a series of steps over and over until the desired outcome is obtained © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. A Design Process Product Innovation Product improvement or redesign will require the designer to repeat the design process. © 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.